Matthew 27:39

39 And ¹those who passed by ²derided him, ³wagging their heads

Matthew 27:39 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:39

And they that passed by
In the road to or from Jerusalem; for, it seems, the crosses were placed by the wayside; or they who passed by the cross, the populace that came from Jerusalem, on purpose to see the sight,

reviled him,
or "blasphemed him": they spoke all manner of evil of him, they could think of, to which he answered not a word; and which may teach us patience under the revilings of men: this was foretold of him, ( Psalms 89:51 ) , "they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed", or "Messiah"; and which Jarchi explains by (ypwo) , "the ends of the king Messiah"; his last times, towards the close of his days; and cites that passage in the Misna ^F26,

``in the heels, or, as Buxtorf renders it, in the end of the days of the Messiah impudence shall be multiplied,''

as it now was exceedingly:

wagging their heads;
in derision of him, and as exulting in his misery; see ( Isaiah 37:22 ) ( Lamentations 2:15 ) . This also was prophesied of him in ( Psalms 22:7 ) .

---

FOOTNOTES:

F26 Sota, c. 9. sect. 15.

Matthew 27:39 In-Context

37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews."

38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.

39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads

40 and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying,

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 22:7; Psalms 109:25; [Lamentations 1:12]
• 2. Luke 22:65; Luke 23:39; [James 2:7]
• 3. Job 16:4; Isaiah 37:22; Jeremiah 18:16; Lamentations 2:15